Blue Raiders upset in bid to clinch first region title since 2003 and now must open playoffs on the road at Maryville; Memphis East ends Melrose's run of region dominance.
By Donovan Stewart
MaxPreps.com
The last week of the regular season brought 14 games that decided region titles, including Cleveland attempting to seal its first Region 4-4A title since 2003 against Walker Valley.
The only problem – Walker Valley wasn’t playing along.
The 28-27, overtime loss was particularly hurtful as the Blue Raiders were not only denied the region title, but now have to open the postseason on the road against Class 4A kingpin Maryville.
Mustang quarterback Jace Meeks had two touchdown runs and two touchdown passes, both to wide receiver Brice Sharp, to lead the way for Walker Valley.
Walker Valley took the first possession of overtime and didn’t waste any time as Meeks found Sharp from nine yards out to take the lead.
Cleveland then scored on its overtime possession after trailing 28-21 as quarterback Tucker Tipton scored from 11 yards out to pull Cleveland to within one at 28-27.
Cleveland coach Danny Wilson rolled the dice and went for the win, but Tipton was stopped short of the end zone to give the Mustangs the win.
Rhea County slipped in to capture the 4-4A title while Red Bank finished second and Walker Valley third.
Knoxville Grace 13, Cosby 12
Knoxville Grace built a 13-0 second-half lead only to see Cosby storm back in the fourth quarter in a battle for the Region 1-1A title.
Cosby running back Mitch Miller scored two touchdowns late to get his team to within 13-12, but a 26-yard field goal by Todd Logan was wide right giving Knoxville Grace its first-ever region title.
Memphis East 30, Melrose 25
Melrose was aiming for five consecutive Region 8-4A titles but Memphis East had other plans for the host Golden Wildcats.
East quarterback Jaszy Parker scored his third touchdown of the night with his team down 25-22 with 1:39 left in the game.
Mark Guyton added the two-point conversion to give East a 30-25 lead, but Melrose wasn’t dead yet as quarterback TroMarcus Toney got his team down to the Mustang five-yard line with 30 seconds left.
East defensive lineman Robert Curry and defensive back Tevin Hughes were able to tackle Toney short of the goal line to preserve the win for the Mustangs.
With the win, East finished the regular season with an 8-2 record a year after they went a disappointing 2-8.
Oneida 20, Greenback 6
Greenback came out on fire against Oneida in a showdown of unbeatens for the Region 2-1A title against Oneida.
The Cherokees (9-1) took the game’s opening kickoff and marched 76 yards on 11 plays as quarterback Bunkie Vanskiver scrambled for a 20-yard touchdown run to give Greenback a 6-0 lead.
Oneida tied the game up in the second quarter as running back Clint Keeton scored to tie the game at the half.
Oneida then dominated the second half as running back Sam Woodard scored on the Indians’ first possession of the half to put his team up 13-6.
The Indians then added another touchdown to clinch the region title and a first round home playoff game.
Friday Night Stat Stuffers
Adrian Fox, QB, Memphis Overton – Completed 19 of 33 passes for 356 yards and threw four touchdowns in 42-33 loss to Bolton.
Montae Houston, WR, Memphis Overton – Caught nine passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns in 42-33 loss to Bolton.
Ryan DuBois, QB, SBEC – Completed 18 of 27 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-21 win over First Assembly Christian School.
Matthew Polk, RB, Ooltewah – Ran for 295 yards and scored four touchdowns in a 55-21 win over Soddy Daisy.
Deonte Lindsey, RB, Bradley Central – Ran for a career-high 300 yards on 44 carries and scored two touchdowns in 24-21 loss to McMinn County.
Kier Houston, QB, Powell – Accounted for 347 total yards, 216 yards on the ground and three touchdowns, and passed for 131 yards and three touchdowns in 47-30 win over Clinton.
Darren Garner, RB, William Blount – Ran for 234 yards and one touchdown in 10-7 win over Heritage.
Shawn Armes, RB, Coalfield – Ran for 265 yards and scored five touchdowns on 31 carries in 40-18 over Sunbright.
Ben Winters, QB, Knoxville Fulton – Threw for school record 320 yards and three touchdowns in 39-11 win over Livingston Academy.
Cole Lail, LB, William Blount – Had 24 total tackles including 15 solos, a sack, an interception and three tackles for a loss in 10-7 win over Heritage.
Jake Overbey, QB, University School of Jackson – Passed for 316 yards and three touchdowns in 31-12 win over Peabody.
Ryan Shipley, QB, Cumberland Gap – Passed for 327 yards and one touchdown in a 33-31 win over West Greene.
By The Numbers
-8 – Rushing yards by Hamilton in 41-8 loss to Germantown.
3 – Union City running backs (Josh Nicks 176 yards, 1 TD, Kendrick Price 178, 2 TDs and Raphe Alexander 102 yards, 3 TD) that went over 100 yards in 63-22 win over Gleason.
6 – Consecutive 0-10 seasons by Red Boling Springs.
15 – Undefeated teams in the state.
18 – Winless teams in the state.
20 – Straight wins by David Lipscomb.
24 – Consecutive wins by South Pittsburg.
70 – Consecutive wins by Maryville (tops in state).
525 – Rushing yards by Union City in 63-22 win over Gleason.
Stew’s Top 10 (Regardless of Classification)
1. Maryville (4A) 10-0
2. Henry County (4A) 10-0
3. David Lipscomb (3A) 10-0
4. Ensworth (DII) 10-0
5. Memphis University School (DII) 10-0
6. Dobyns-Bennett (5A) 10-0
7. Montgomery Bell Academy (DII) 9-1
8. Franklin (5A) 9-1
9. Alcoa (2A) 9-1
10. South Pittsburg (1A) 9-0
Questions ? Comments ? Contact Donovan at dstew4vu@yahoo.com
